Wales v Fiji: Gethin Jenkins eager to avoid repeat of defeat

Prop Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales against Fiji on Saturday

Gethin Jenkins is determined not to repeat one of the lowest points of his Wales career against Fiji on Saturday.

The Cardiff Blues loose-head prop, 33, is the only survivor in Wales' starting XV from the 38-34 loss to the Fijians that ended their 2007 World Cup bid.

Wales were also held to a 16-16 draw four years ago in Cardiff.

"I remember drawing with them a few years ago - there was a down dressing room after that game - and I remember the 2007 game in France," he said.

"Not many of us played in the 2007 game. It was a downpoint in my career and in that of everyone who played, but Saturday is a chance to beat Fiji on our own patch."

Jenkins will stretch his record total of Wales caps to 109 when he leads the side out at the Millennium Stadium, taking the armband in the absence of the rested Sam Warburton.

Wales gained a measure of revenge over Fiji with a thumping 66-0 win during the 2011 World Cup.

But Jenkins knows they must put down a marker on Saturday against opponents they will again face at the 2015 staging of the tournament, having already lost 28-33 last week to Australia - another opponent they will face at the pool stage.

"Fiji are always going to bring an expansive game and try and take to us on out wide," Jenkins warned.

"We know what to expect, but we have to concentrate on our game and keep doing the things we did well on Saturday."

Paul James was preferred at loose-head for the Wallabies game, with Jenkins on the bench, but Warren Gatland has recalled the British and Irish Lions prop in one of eight changes.

"There's always been a lot of competition in my position - Gats has mentioned Nicky Smith coming through, Paul James has been snapping at my heels for quite a while now and he's got his chance to play last week," Jenkins said.

"So I'm determined to make the most of the game. We'll try and learn our lessons from [the defeat to Australia] and all the focus for the rest of the week is going into Fiji."

Jenkins also had praise for Samson Lee, who keeps his place on the tight-head side of the front row.

Lee will come up against former Blues prop Campese Ma'afu on Saturday in a Fiji side that includes Ospreys centre Josh Matavesi at fly-half.

"I thought he [Lee] was outstanding [against Australia], he's getting better and better every game. He scrummaged really well," Jenkins added.

"He knows himself that there's the stuff round the field he's trying to work on and the work-rate and the stuff he got through on Saturday was a big step up from him."